A bitter ‘civil war’ has broken out between the UK’s leading Special Forces units over the Afghan war crimes inquiry.
Tensions are mounting amid extraordinary claims that the investigation into the activities of the Special Air Service (SAS) came about as a result of ‘professional jealousy’ by members of the Special Boat Service (SBS).
The SAS is currently at the centre of a High Court inquiry into allegations that its troops executed as many as 80 Taliban suspects in custody between 2010 and 2013.
As court papers released this week revealed, the probe was initially triggered by officers in the rival SBS.
Their ‘murder’ claims led to a military police investigation and the present inquiry led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, the outcome of which has huge implications for elite military units.
It is understood that relations became strained after it was decided that the SAS would replace the SBS as the leading Special Forces unit in Afghanistan.
The SAS transferred to the country from Iraq to refresh anti-Taliban operations.
There is anger in SAS circles at the part played by SBS personnel in prompting the court proceedings.
Tensions are mounting amid extraordinary claims that the investigation into the activities of the Special Air Service (SAS) came about as a result of ‘professional jealousy’ by members of the Special Boat Service (SBS). Picture: stock image
The SAS is currently at the centre of a High Court inquiry into allegations that its troops executed as many as 80 Taliban suspects in custody between 2010 and 2013. Picture: stock image
Decorated SAS veteran James Deegan, who won a Military Cross on secret operations with the regiment, launched a furious rant on Instagram, where he accused SBS officers who reported their concerns about SAS activities of being motivated by envy and wanting revenge.
Mr Deegan, who spent 17 years in the SAS, served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has been described as one of the most experienced soldiers in the Special Forces.
Addressing his followers on the social media platform, he said: ‘I know exactly what is [going] on with the SAS and the investigation.
‘I am not making any comment, but what I will say is it was professional jealousy from another organisation that was effectively not up to task.’
He also accused those who have given evidence to the High Court of peddling ‘supposition, casual stories and bar-room bulls***’.
The fall-out has raised questions over the relationship between the units moving forward.
It could also have implications for national security, as the SAS and SBS are required to train and fight alongside each other.
Last night, former military intelligence commander Phil Ingram said: ‘What we are hearing is symptomatic of a difficult relationship between the SAS and SBS and, clearly, a real leadership issue under the director of Special Forces at the time.’
The fall-out has raised questions over the relationship between the units moving forward. Picture: stock image
Military expert Andrew Fox, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, added: ‘It is dangerous when this rivalry between the SAS and the SBS crosses into a grudge. It will take strong leadership to overcome the inevitable frictions that will come from this.’
Should the judge find the evidence before the court credible, the inquiry could trigger a fresh criminal investigation into SAS ‘extra-judicial killings’.
If found to have executed Taliban suspects while in custody, SAS troops could face murder charges. Any commanders who may have prevented these activities from being investigated could face charges for perverting the course of justice.
The Mail has also learned that the SAS and the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) – the umbrella organisation which includes the SAS and the SBS – both face a major overhaul. While insiders say any tightening of restrictions around operations would ‘kill off [the] Special Forces’, changes being considered include subjecting UKSF units to parliamentary oversight for the first time.
This would require Special Forces officers to give evidence about their activities to a highly vetted group of MPs.
Special Forces chiefs are understood to be fighting to prevent such a move.
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